Study In Norway

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About

Study in Norway is the dream of any international student with tuition-free public universities, financial aid, and living amongst the third happiest people on this earth.
I guess this is an opportunity any student would grab with both hands and legs.

Interesting Facts About Norway

You have to know these points before travelling to Norway, and I swear that you’ll be motivated to study there when you know a more information about Norway:

The Norwegian Culture

The Norwegian people are conservative but friendly, especially with strangers, and may not prefer to go into details of their lives with others and never ask them about their religion or beliefs, but at the same time, they are very cooperative and kind in their dealings.

Population

Norway is located in the west of the Scandinavian Peninsula, northern Europe, and is one of the least countries in Europe in terms of population compared to its area, with a population of 5 million people, and an area of ​​about 385,000 square kilometers.

Location & Landmarks

Norway shares its long eastern border with Sweden and is bordered on the south by Finland and Denmark across the Skagerrak Strait, and on the east by Russia.

It has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea and is characterized by a winding coastline with many wonderful islands and fjords, which is considered a tourist center in the country, including “Sognefjorden” the second deepest fjord in the world, in addition to Lake “Hornendalsvatnet”, which is the deepest lake in Europe.

Are the Norwegians friendly?

You’ll like to cope with these people because they’re so welcomed and you don’t find any boundaries to make friends and extend social relationships among people.

Based on global statistics, Norwegians are the third happiest people in the world after Finland and Denmark.

Capital & Other Countries

The capital of Norway is Oslo, and the country has many areas on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Arnes Stave Church, Bryggen, Alta Rock Art, in addition to the city of Roros, which is located in the center of the country, and the Vega archipelago, which contains many of Wonderful islands and reefs.

Weather

This is the Arctic Region. Norway, like the rest of Scandinavia, is quite close to the North Pole. The temperature in winter drop to sub-zero levels, and snow covers much of the area. So Norway is famous for skiing
The weather in Summer becomes friendly, in other words, milder.

Outdoor Activities in Norway

What are the most enjoyable outdoor activities you want to do in Norway?

1-Observing Humpback Whales

Keep watching the humpback whales cruise on an eco-friendly boat with a silent engine because whales get nervous when hearing big noise. This boat is equipped with unique technology that to keep the sound low.
The other things you want to do there are:

  • Enjoying a silent cruise.
  • Surfing the internet as you sail.
  • Taking souvenir photos from the heart of nature.

2-Aurora Tour

In winter, you can enjoy the spectacular aurora nights in Norway and spend a perfect time with your partner or your friends and see the Northern Lights, where the green and purple colors combine to give us this breathtaking view. Here you’re some recommendations ideas:

  • You can also get warm around the bonfire.
  • Have a tasty meal.
  • Admire the snow-covered landscapes’ extended area.

3-Overnight stay in Tromso

Take an overnight tour in Tromso and stay in a comfortable camp designed for people who like to relax and have some time alone, far away from the city noise.
The camp from the inside is incredible and charming; the lights in it seem like candles. This activity is on the island of Kvaloya. The best time to stay in one of the Kvaloya tents is when the Northern Lights come out.
Have a traditional dish.
Learn more about the culture there.

Culture

The Norwegian people are conservative but friendly, especially with strangers. Perhaps they do not prefer to go into the details of their lives with others and never ask them about their religion or beliefs. Still, at the same time, they are very cooperative and kind in their dealings.

Norwegians love teamwork and consider their voluntary participation in community work duty. They do not hesitate to contribute to community work in various forms if it is in the public interest.

You may feel at the beginning of your dealings with the residents there that the Norwegians are somewhat closed people, but you will discover after a short time that the matter is not as bad as you expected.

Norwegians shy away from noisy mass celebrations and prefer to get some peace in the lap of nature through outdoor sports or even camping, and often spend this time with their families.

The people’s clothing there is not pretentious, as they tend to adopt simple, comfortable clothes of calm colors, such as sports clothes. Often they will need to wear woolen clothes due to the freezing weather there, at the same time they are interested in wearing formal and elegant clothes when they go out to dinner, for example.

Norwegians are proud of their honesty and equality in their dealings with others. They are also loyal in personal relationships, and for them, work and discipline come first, and they often prefer it to their personal lives.

Norwegian Food

As for Norwegian cuisine, people do not have a unique inheritance for food but rather depend on many well-known meals worldwide, including potatoes, meat, and fish. But this doesn’t mean that the Norwegians don’t care about food; on the contrary, they always try to learn new and international dishes. There is a magazine specialized in that, in addition to food festivals and their types.

Friday night is called “taco night” for the Norwegians because most families serve “tacos” on this night, which is a custom followed by many there.

Study Cost

Studying in public universities in Norway is free even for international students from any country, except for a few fees that vary by city and university and range from $30-70 per semester, which is 1000 Nok per semester.

As for the costs of studying in private universities, it ranges from 7000 to 9000 euros per year for a bachelor’s degree and 9000 to 19,000 euros for a master’s, and these fees are considered low compared to private universities in other European countries.

Once you enroll in a Norwegian university, you will automatically become a member of the non-profit SAMEN Student Welfare Organization, and you will have the possibility to benefit from its services, which include discounts on housing, health, sports clubs, cafes, and more.

Heads Up: Public universities in Norway don’t charge you for tuition-fee. The government pays salaries of all university staff and roots other miscellaneous bills.

Heads Up: The allocation of resources from the government is inclined towards the education sector.

Living Cost

Norway is one of the most expensive countries in terms of cost of living, especially with its high quality of life, and perhaps a free education will cover the high cost of living there for you.

The cost of living in Norway ranges from 800 to 1800 euros per month, as it rises in large cities and decreases in smaller cities. The cost of living in Oslo, for example, ranges between 1200 – 2000 euros per month, in Bergen 1100-1800 euros, and between 1000-1600 in Tromso and Trondheim.

The cost of living in small towns is between 800-1000 euros per month.

Living costs include accommodation, food, books, references, and utilities, and the cost of housing is 36% of the total cost, and students will spend on food between 250-400 euros, he can save part of this amount if he is good at cooking at home, and take advantage of the discounts offered by supermarkets in the country.

As for transportation, students often resort to public transportation and benefit from discounts offered to students, as the monthly transportation card costs between 55-72 euros. In addition, there are other transportation options such as taxis or even popular bicycles.

There are some other expenses that the student must calculate, which are the costs related to his studies, such as buying books and references, which will cost him up to 50 euros per month

Accommodation

Obtaining housing for you as a student in Norway will not be difficult, but it will cost you a not small amount, so you should look at all the options available to choose the most suitable for you.

There are many options for housing in Norway, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, the cost varies according to the proximity to the university and the city, and these options include:

1-University housing

Universities in Norway provide halls of residence for their students at a cost of about 550 euros per month.

The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment in a student residence is 1,000 euros per month.

While the cost of renting a room in a three-room apartment is 600 euros per month.

2- Private housing

It is possible for a student to get an apartment outside the residence, and here, of course, the cost will be higher, as the cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is approximately 800 euros per month.

It can also be renting a room outside the residence jointly between several students. Here the cost of renting one room in a three-room apartment is 400 euros per month.

This cost varies from one city to another. For example, the rent for an apartment in Oslo is between 700-1500 euros per month.

Universities

Many advantages will encourage you as an international student to study in Norway, most notably advanced education, low study costs, and universities’ scholarships.

In addition, intensive practical training and a keen interest in scientific research will qualify the graduate from the universities of Norway to enter the labor market from broad access. The following paragraphs are an overview of the most important universities in Norway:

1-University of Oslo

This University is known for hosting and awarding Nobel prizes in 1947, 1989, and 2020.

With more than 800 undergraduate courses in the English language and various masters and Ph.D., the University is known for its varied course curriculum.

The University is located in the nation’s capital and boasts 8 faculties in science, natural science, medicine, and dentistry, to name a few.

It is also home to natural and historical museums. The public funds the University, so the international students only have to pay the semester fees and no tuition fees.

We’ve got here a turning-point; the research of traumatic response and environmental science is conducted at this University.

The international students have to be a key part of the research team that is supervised by the faculty members.

Visit the official website of the University of Oslo.

2-The Arctic University of Norway

Located in the Arctic region, the University is known to conduct significant research in Auroral lights, Climate science, fishery, and Sami culture, to explore a few of the most impactful subjects.

The used language here is the English, and that’ll be great for international students. considering that English is international language.

There has been a significant increase in the number of international students in the past few years. That’s why people are now getting more interested and vocal about environmental issues and how to prevent them.

This is the most northern University when it comes to its location. You should apply to study here if you have a tolerance for freezing weather and can sustain yourself in a colder atmosphere.

Visit the University’s website from here.

3-Norwegian University of Science and Technology

One of the best universities for international students, the main focus of the courses here lies on science, technology, engineering, and natural science.

They also offer degrees in psychology, education, fine arts, and medicine. The University boasts corporate partnerships with its Research and Development companies like Alcatel, ABB, and Shell.

This provides international students to be a part of research projects that increase your chances to get a dream job.

These partnerships help in the betterment of the course structure and innovation in the course curriculum.

The participation of NTNU is not just limited to corporate links; they also have active participation in academic initiatives globally.

Click here to go to the University’s website.

4-University of Stavanger

The University absorbs more than 400 international students every year. It helps in the development of internationalization plans and processes of the country.

Residing in the energy and oil capital of the country, it plays a significant role in the dynamics of corporate students to help a co-beneficial relationship.

The University ranks third highest when it comes to the publication of research materials per scientific faculty member.

It also is a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Studies, a booster of innovation and reforms in the course curriculum regarding technology and research.

Here is the website: University of Stavanger.

5-Norwegian School of Economics

The NHH is the first business school in Norway and works very closely with the local community and international students.

They are also working in partnership with 170 international business institutions. This expansion started in the year 1984 and is still ongoing.

In partnership with Cambridge, NYU, Cornell, to name a few, the University is helping many business students and the local community to grow and become better.

The institutes are selective and yet one of the top contenders for students interested in learning economics and business. The programs here are accredited members of the CEMS Global Alliance in Management education. This is a partnership of 33 prestigious academic institutes for business studies.

The official website is here.

Heads Up: You can reach out to experts at Udrus. Our team is dedicated to make learning accessible.

We have your back at every step of the applying journey. We’ll be with you in applying for colleges, visas, and scholarships processes.

How to apply for Universities in Norway?

It is necessary for you as an international student who wants to study in Norway to know more about conditions for registration there, and you have to check the required papers & documents for applying.

The first step is choosing the specialization you want to study and the most appropriate University for you, which offers this specialization.

Heads Up: You don’t have to think about changing your major because you may have difficulties there.

The second step is visiting the University’s website, check the requirements, and be sure to prepare the required documents.

The third step is submitting on time; the university’s website lists all deadlines for applying.

As for the required documents and papers, they are generally:

  • An application for registration can be filled out via the University’s website.
  • Recent personal photos.
  • A passport is valid for at least 6 months.
  • The recent scientific certificate and the student will complete his\her major.
  • Transcripts for University, secondary, or master’s years, depending on the program you want to study.
  •  Motivation letter in English explaining the reason for choosing the major, the University, and the student’s plans.
  • English language proficiency certificate (TOEFL or IELTS) at a rate commensurate to the one determined by the University.
  • Two letters of recommendation in English were written by two teachers who followed up on the student’s studies.

After the papers are ready, they will be translated into English and sent to the University’s website. If your application for registration is approved, the University will send you a university acceptance letter via your email, after which the procedures for obtaining a visa and residence will begin.

Languages ​​used in universities in Norway

The two official languages ​​in Norway are Bokmål and Nynorsk. However, they cannot be considered two separate languages ​​due to their closeness, and whoever speaks one of them inevitably understands the other.

Most of the population in Norway speak “BokmĂĄl,” while the people of Western Norway speak “Nynoshk.”

These two languages ​​are also used in Norwegian universities, but some universities offer some majors and some programs in English. The University of Bergen, for example, does not teach undergraduate students any programs in English.

If you are going to continue your education in Norwegian, know that you have to take 393 hours of Norwegian level 3, with an exam in Norwegian, or take a test in Norwegian as a second language, and get an advanced level, or pass the Trinn3 international student exam Or, you can get more than 60 ECTS Norwegian language points.

Suppose you want to study in English in Norwegian universities. In that case, you must first choose the program that suits you from the programs available in English, and here you must pass one of the language tests approved in Norway at a level determined by the University.

On the other hand, you have a university degree in English, you have studied for at least one full year at one of the internationally accredited universities whose programs are taught in English, or you have previously obtained a master’s degree in English.

Study Visa

You should know, dear student, that Norway is stringent in granting travel visas, so be exact in sending your official documents and the information you provide.

What are the Required Document?

After obtaining university admission, you must review the Norwegian embassy or consulate to obtain a travel visa to Norway. Usually, the required documents are:

  • University admission, provided by an accredited university in Norway.
  • A passport is valid for at least six months.
  • A certified translation of your personal identity.
  • Recent color photos.
  • Proof of financial ability to afford the costs of living in Norway, where you must put an amount of 10,000 euros in the university’s account. The university will put this amount later on the student’s account to withdraw a monthly amount that covers the costs of his stay.
  • Norway insurance policy.
  • Motivation letter explaining why you want to study in Norway.
  • Application for a visa.
  • University fees receipt.
  • A document proving that you have an accommodation in Norway.
  • A pledge that you will leave the country after the expiry of your residence permit for study.

After submitting the supporting documents for a visa, it may take about two months to issue this visa, so do not delay submitting your application.

After you obtain the visa, you will be able to obtain a residence permit in Norway, granted by a police station there, where you must visit it within seven days of your arrival in the country, which in turn will send you the residence permit electronically within ten days.

Requirements

You will need to collect a few documents before you start applying for colleges to study in Norway.

These documents are your proof of identity and education. They help you secure your seat at the university.

These documents also ensure your smooth entry into the university as well as the country. It is advised to arrange for these documents well beforehand to avoid any confusion or chaos later.

In case you miss any single document, you might end up losing your admission to the university. But don’t worry because Norwegian Universities adobts the transparent education system.
If you’re rejected, you can see that the admission letter includes a heads-up, that’s titled: you can appeal this rejection.

Required Documents for Applying

There are a few documents that you need to prepare while planning to study in Norway:

  • Educational Certificates: You are required to carry your 10+2 passing certificates and mark sheets with you to show them as proof of education.
  • Bank statements: Ensure to carry your bank statements as proof of financial stability. The university will not grant you a seat if you can not show proof of minimum balance.
  • Language Proficiency: You do not need to have knowledge of the Norwegian language but you need to have proof of passing the language proficiency examination like IELTS/ TOEFL. Reach out to the experts at Udrus to find out which proof your university is accepting.
  • Accommodation: In order to avoid last-minute confusion or inconvenience, make sure that you already have an accommodation finalized.
  • Airport to Accommodation Drop Facility: In order to have a safe and smooth transit experience you should finalize your pick and drop transportation beforehand. If you are planning to catch a means of public transport, make sure to keep maps handy either physically or on your electronic device.
  • Key Phone Numbers and Addresses: While giving details to your university, make sure to provide correct communication details. This will help the university connect with you better once they wish to hand over the acceptance letter.
  • Acceptance Letter From College: This is one very important piece of document that you need to keep handy. You need to show the proof of moving to Norway and present your acceptance letter.
  • Medical Prescription: A lot of universities require you to declare any medication that is required to be taken by you. They need you to declare if you suffer from any chronic disease so that they arrange for a professional in case of any emergency. Keep your prescription on you at all times so that you are prepared for any kind of medical emergency.
  • Medical Records: You need to show the medical records to the university. You might be asked by the university that you are accepted to undergo certain medical tests. This is done to determine your eligibility to move to the country without hampering your health.
  • Converted Currency: Keep some converted currency handy either from before or make sure to get it exchanged after reaching Norway. Now you can exchange the currency in an instant and from your home’s comfort.
  • Passport Size Photographs: Keep a few professional headshots ready which you can submit at the university. Make sure to keep a few professional passport sized pictures handy always. You can keep a digital copy in your possession. Print out at-least 2 dozen of your passport sized pictures for ease of access.
  • Clothes as per the Weather of Residence: Before packing, make sure to check the weather of your residential area. Keep clothes of both seasons with you. The summers in Norway are cloudy and pleasant whereas the winters are freezing and cloudy. Make sure to buy an umbrella as soon as you land.
  • Statement of Purpose: Keep your statement of purpose for moving to Norway ready well before time. Keep it to the point and avoid making grammatical errors. You can change the names of the universities and circulate the same Statement of Purpose. Udrus can help you with writing your Statement of Purpose effectively. Their team is trained in helping students achieve their dream of studying abroad.
  • Letter of Recommendation: Letter of Recommendation is required from the people who have either mentored you in school if you are moving to Norway to pursue an undergraduate degree. If you are moving to pursue a master’s and have worked before, the university will ask for a letter of recommendation from people you have worked closely with.
  • Curriculum Vitae: Curriculum Vitae is required if you already have work experience. This will help you get a job or a part-time job easily while you complete your college degree in Norway.
  • Study Visa: If you are planning to study in Norway, it is necessary to apply for a student visa, It is also known as a student residence permit. Students from Denmark, Iceland, Finland, or Sweden do not require study visas for Norway, and it is not necessary to register with the police. However, if you are planning to study in Norway for more than 6 months, ensure to report it to a tax office in Norway for an ID check and inform the authorities about your move to Norway as a student.

Why Study In Norway

Keep in mind these points that will motivate you to book the first flight and go ahead to Norway:

Getting admission is easy

The requirements to get admission from any university in Norway isn’t complicated or impossible compared to other Schengen Universities.
For example, The IELTS score for Norway is between 6.0 to 6.5.

Admission is only given based on your Bachelor’s score. If you have more than 60% Bachelor’s degree, then you’ll qualify.

Transparent education system

If you’re rejected, you can see that the admission letter includes a heads-up titled: you can appeal this rejection.

There isn’t university in the world may give you this right, no matter what’s his/her situation.

Acceptance rates are low

The university with the highest acceptance rate in Norway is the Norwegian University of Science & Technology.
Generally, applying early and meeting requirements is critical. All you want to do is preparing all required documents and start applying.

Heads Up: When you visit any university’s website, you’ll observe that the acceptance rate is low compared to other European Universities.

You can travel 26 countries in Europe with your student’s visa

According to the Schengen agreement, a student visa will allow students to move between Schengen countries quickly without boundaries and stay for up to 90 days in any country within the block.

Norway has beautiful landscapes & Scenery

Norway is a Scandinavian jewel, and its most brutal and most rugged landscapes shine beautifully.

Norway is known for its wide range of natural peculiarities and beauties.
Its deep forests, Arctic tundras, great mountain tops, colorful grass-roofed houses, and majestic fjords are just some of the country’s iconic landscapes. It has defined by the relationship to the sea.
It’s islands, Glaciers, fishing villages, vast areas of dramatic coastlines make for fantastic Scenery.

You can stay in Norway for up to a year after graduation

This is the best feature to study in Norway. International students may stay more than a year after getting Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or Ph.D. degree from any Norwegian university or college.

Heads Up: It’s an excellent opportunity to seek employment after graduation.

Heads Up: Beware that you must apply for a residence permit as a job seeker before your current permit expires and after completing your degrees.

Scholarships

Although public universities in Norway don’t charge tuition-fees for international students, the high cost of living there makes obtaining a scholarship and the opportunity to cover these costs or even part of them.

Norwegian Scholarships

There are several scholarships to study in Norway. These scholarships are available to help students get high education abroad.
Most scholarships in Norway cover more than 40-60% of the total living cost.

Norwegian Universities are top-ranked,
and it has about 6 universities that are among the best 600 universities in the world.

Take into consideration that these universities are presented Government Funded Scholarships, and most of them issued annually.

1-University of Stavanger Scholarships

The School of Business at the University of Stavanger offers several Ph.D. scholarships in the field of Marketing.

This scholarship offers about 45,500 euros annually to those who are accepted, but its competition will be great, so it is not easy to obtain this scholarship; you may be required to 15 publications in the required specialization to be accepted.

2-Norwegian School of Economics Scholarships

The Norwegian School of Economics offers several scholarships for international and domestic students in the Business Administration Diploma program. These scholarships cover 100% tuition fees, with a value equivalent to €24,600.

 In addition, you must know that you must achieve a certain academic level during the first year so that you can benefit from the scholarship in the following year; otherwise, your funding will expire, and this scholarship is very competitive and challenging, given that it is awarded every year to only one student.

3-University of Oslo Scholarships

The University of Oslo offers several scholarships in its International Summer School (ISS) for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to international students from Africa, Oceania, Asia, Caucasus, Balkans, EU countries, South America, Central America, European Economic Area, USA, Canada, and the former Soviet Union countries.

To accept this scholarship, applicants must meet the academic criteria that it sets for each program. You must know that the number of beneficiaries of this scholarship is also limited, and its competition is intense.

4-Nord University Postdoctoral Fellowship

Nord University offers post-PhD fellowships in Molecular Ecology. The duration of this fellowship is two years, during which candidates will research the Department of Biological Sciences and Aquaculture. Students who are proficient in the Scandinavian language are preferred for this scholarship.

Those who benefit from this scholarship will receive approximately €52,787 annually. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a field related to ecology and experience in population genetics, molecular biology, zooplankton, bioinformatics, and next-generation sequencing.

5-Oslo Metropolitan University Scholarships

Oslo Metropolitan University offers scholarships to obtain a Ph.D. in Computer Science program for two students annually. These scholarships are available to international students, and the beneficiary will receive about 46,100 euros annually.

A high academic degree in MSc, fluency in English, and experience in artificial intelligence, Python, mainstream programming languages, complex systems, machine learning frameworks, and more.

6-Norwegian University of Life Sciences Scholarships

The Norwegian University of Life Sciences offers several Ph.D. scholarships in the Robotics and Manipulation Assimilation Program. This scholarship is available to international students with outstanding academic records in related disciplines such as robotics, engineering cybernetics, computer science, and many other academic and applied experiences.

This scholarship offers high salaries and the opportunity to work with advanced research networks.